ROSSENDALE 11-41 HUDDERSFIELD
Rossendale put in a spirited performance as they were eventually beaten by National League 3 North champions Huddersfield on Saturday.
Despite winning the title last weekend, the away side scored five tries in another excellent performance.
Tries from Adam Malthouse and Danny Grainger gave Field a 17-6 lead at the break with Steve Nutt's boot keeping the hosts within touching distance.
Nevertheless, scores from Nick Sharpe, Lewis Workman and Nick Rhodes after the break guided Huddersfield to another emphatic win.
The away, who are now 25 games unbeaten and on course for a perfect season, were frustrated by a resilient Dale team, who still have promotion ambitions of their own.
Despite the defeat, Rossendale is now guaranteed to finish second and will face the runners-up from National 3 Midlands in their bid for promotion to National 2 North.
As things stand, they'd be taking on Sheffield, but with just four points separating the top three, which also includes Broadstreet and Nuneaton, it's hard to say who they will face.
Dale does have one last league outing in a fortnight's time against the Wirral.
Nevertheless, they're fully expected to make wholesale changes as they look to protect their key players for their crucial play-off clash.
Steve Smith
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